The Anglo-Saxon name Hiben comes from Robert. The name is derived from a pet form of the personal name Robert. In England, in the Middle Ages, rhyming was often used as a device. This practice continued on into the 18th and 19th centuries; cockney, a London dialect of the 19th century, used rhymes almost exclusively to get its point across without the "upper classes" knowing what was being said. A common diminutive of Robert is Rob and Hobb.

Hiben Early Origins

The surname Hiben was first found in Huntingdonshire, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Hiben Spelling Variations

Hiben Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hiben were recorded, including Hobbins, Hobbin, Hobbis, Hobbiss, Hoben and others.

Hiben Early History

Hiben Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hiben research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1770 and 1656 are included under the topic Early Hiben History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hiben Early Notables (pre 1700)

Hiben Early Notables (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Agnes Hobbis, who held estates in Huntingdonshire during the reign of Edward 1st; and Ann Hibbins (Hibbens or Brennum Clenums), executed for witchcraft in...

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hiben Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hiben family emigrate to North America: Thomas Hobin, who sailed to Barbados, Joane Hobbin, to Virginia in 1660; Peter Hobben to Philadelphia in 1754; Mary Hobbin to Boston in 1849; John Hobin to Philadelphia in 1859.

The Hiben Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Hiben Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.